10 things to do today: Celebrate Star Wars Day, catch the opening day of On Arab Geographies, and more

Courtesy Dubai Opera

Courtesy Alliance Francaise Abu Dhabi

Courtesy Le Royal Meridien

Courtesy Yas Waterworld

Courtesy BBC Films

Courtesy Disney

Courtesy DUCTAC

Courtesy Tashkeel

Courtesy Sharjah Bridal Fair

Your daily guide to community and cultural activities across the Emirates for May 4, 2017, including performances, festivals, art exhibitions, film screenings, health and fitness events, talks, classes, workshops and family fun. Aarti Jhurani rounds up 10 things to do today in the UAE.

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Abu Dhabi

Film screenings

Catch the opening day of On Arab Geographies, a film programme by Image Nation and Cinema Akil. It showcases a broad spectrum of critically acclaimed contemporary Arab films that capture narratives and stories in the region. The weekend-long programme includes eight films, including feature length and short narratives from the UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Tunisia and Lebanon, among others. Tonight, catch a screening of In the Last Days of the City by Egyptian director Tamer El Said.

Daily until Saturday, opening at 7pm today, film screening at 7.30pm, free, seats available on first-come-first-serve, Manarat Al Saadiyat Theatre, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, for more information, search On Arab Geographies in Facebook

Dubai

Performance

Get tickets to see Mandela Trilogy, a musical tribute to South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician and ex-president Nelson Mandela. It is presented by Cape Town Opera, with a cast of more than 30 performers, including three incarnations of Mandela. It features diverse music styles – Xhosa choral, jazz and jive, struggle songs and liberation music – and dramatises the defining moments of his life.

November 9 to 11, 8pm, from Dh150, Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, www.dubaiopera.com

Abu Dhabi

Art exhibition

Alliance Française Dubai presents Gold Up, an exhibition of works by French artist Claude Guenard, who deconstructs the basic figures extracted from art and fashion magazines and sketches over them, questioning imagery, revealing the hidden motivations of society and the secrets of the subconscious mind. Pictured: Audrey Hepburn

Daily until Monday, 9am to 8pm, Sundays to Thursdays; 10am to 6pm on Saturdays (closed on Fridays), Alliance Française Abu Dhabi, off 32nd Street near Irish Embassy, Abu Dhabi, 02 666 6232, www.afabudhabi.org

Abu Dhabi

Art exhibition

See Walking Rock Tour by Lebanese painter, sculptor and poet Rudy Rahme, who presents a series of detailed sculptures focusing on the human form. Pictured: Dream

Daily until the end of Ramadan, 9am to 10pm, Le Royal Méridien, Sheikh Khalifa Street, Abu Dhabi, 02 674 2020, www.leroyalmeridienabudhabi.com

Abu Dhabi

Waterpark fun

Head to Yas Waterworld for the ladies' night experience, where women can enjoy an Emirati-inspired adventure. Plunge into the story of the Lost Pearl, search for hidden treasures and enjoy more than 40 rides and slides, in a private setting staffed entirely by women.

Thursdays, 6pm to 11pm, from Dh250, females only; boys up to age 8 with government-issued ID required, Yas Waterworld, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, www.yaswaterworld.com

Nationwide

New film

A United Kingdom is based on the true story of Seretse Khama (David Oyelowo), the heir to the Bamangwato tribe, and Ruth Williams (Rosamund Pike), the British woman he falls in love with. They get married, despite protests from their families and opposition from the British government, and move back to his country, where the tribe accepts Ruth. Khama oversees the creation of present-day Botswana after overcoming a lot of obstacles, and his son becomes the country's fourth elected president in 2008. Biographical drama, also starring Tom Felton, Jack Davenport and Terry Pheto.

Screening at cinemas across the UAE (PG-15)

Dubai

Star Wars Day

Take your kids to celebrate Star Wars Day at Mall of the Emirates and Festival City. At the Toy Store in MOE, the little ones can join two Lego-certified professionals who will create a large Lego Star Wars mosaic, and take part in Make and Take activity, where they can learn how to build their own X-Wing spaceship. All children attending the session can dress up as their favourite characters, and will also receive a gift from Lego. At the Borders store in Festival City, children can enjoy excerpts of Star Wars books during live reading sessions. Kids can come dressed as their favourite character, and will receive a free book and Star Wars goodies from the store.

Daily until Saturday at Mall of the Emirates, 5pm and 8pm today, 3pm and 6pm tomorrow and Saturday; until tomorrow at Festival City, 4.20pm to 6pm; free, Toy Store, Mall of the Emirates; Borders, Dubai Festival City, Dubai

Dubai

Art exhibition

Check out the opening day of the Italian Vanity Art Exhibition at Ductac. A group exhibit, it aims to showcase young Italian artists in Dubai, with a special focus on their approach to contemporary art. It covers a variety of visual-art mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography and installations.

Daily until Wednesday, from 7pm tonight, 2pm to 8pm tomorrow, 11am to 8pm till Wednesday, free, The Gallery of Light, Ductac, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, www.ductac.org

Dubai

Art exhibition

Catch the last day of the exhibition Kay'noo'nah. Curated by Hind bin Demaithan, photographer Mark Pilkington presents works that explore the composition of an image and how slight changes in landscape and interaction among the characters enable the viewer to pick up on the fragility of the physical and spiritual states. The title is the Arabic work that represents states of being. Pictured: Gebel Tal Halfa by Mark Pilkington

Today, noon to 6pm, Tashkeel, House 10, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Bur Dubai, www.tashkeel.org

Sharjah

Bridal fair

Head to the Sharjah Bridal Fair and check out ready-to-wear and wedding collections by Emirati and international designers. The event also features sessions and workshops addressing stress and anxiety management for grooms and brides-to-be.

Daily until Saturday, 4pm to 11pm, tickets cost Dh10 at the door, proceeds from tickets go to Friends of Cancer, Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre, Al Dhaid Road, Sharjah, www.jrcc.ae